Yehezkiel 39:7-10

39:7 “‘I will make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. ¹  39:8 Realize that it is coming and it will be done, declares the sovereign Lord. It is the day I have spoken about.

39:9 “‘Then those who live in the cities of Israel will go out and use the weapons for kindling ²  – the shields, ³  bows and arrows, war clubs and spears – they will burn them for seven years. 39:10 They will not need to take ⁴  wood from the field or cut down trees from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons. They will take the loot from those who looted them and seize the plunder of those who plundered them, ⁵  declares the sovereign Lord.

[39:7]  ¹ sn The basic sense of the word “holy” is “set apart from that which is commonplace, special, unique.” The Lord’s holiness is first and foremost his transcendent sovereignty as the ruler of the world. He is “set apart” from the world over which he rules. At the same time his holiness encompasses his moral authority, which derives from his royal position. As king he has the right to dictate to his subjects how they are to live; indeed his very own character sets the standard for proper behavior. This expression is a common title for the Lord in the book of Isaiah.

[39:9]  ² tn Heb “burn and kindle the weapons.”

[39:9]  ³ tn Two different types of shields are specified in the Hebrew text.

[39:10]  ⁴ tn Heb “they will not carry.”

[39:10]  ⁵ tn Heb “loot their looters and plunder their plunderers.”